49ers depth chart: Ranking 5 most important backups in 2021

No. 4: 49ers Cornerback Dontae Johnson

Niners fans probably weren’t thrilled when the team re-signed journeyman cornerback Dontae Johnson during the offseason, but it was a smart move.

For starters, fellow corners Jason Verrett and K’Waun Williams both have notable injury histories, and it would be irresponsible for San Francisco to automatically assume both stay healthy over the duration of 2021. Plus, fellow boundary cornerback Emmanuel Moseley is a fringe starter, at best.

Johnson, who played on the outside as well as over the slot last season, earned a respectable 67.7 Pro Football Focus grade last year on 273 snaps, registering 23 tackles and three passes broken up during that span, so it’s clear he’s at least serviceable.

And while Johnson shouldn’t be viewed as a long-term solution by any means, he at least guards against potential injuries to Verrett, Williams and Moseley while also acting as insurance for the 49ers’ two drafted rookie corners, Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir, should either player not be ready for a big role in year one.

There’s a good chance Johnson winds up seeing a lot of field time in 2021. As long as he’s not a liability, the Niners can feel good they brought him back on the cheap.